Six undergraduate scholarships valued up to $20,000 each are being offered by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to La Trobe University students as part of a new Inland Rail Skills Academy announced today at the 2019 Inland Rail Conference in Toowoomba.
The scholarships will provide financial support for prospective regional students planning to study at La Trobe’s Bendigo, Shepparton, Albury-Wodonga and Melbourne campuses. They will help equip students with the skills and experience to pursue careers which enrich and diversify regional economies. Indigenous people and those experiencing financial hardship are particularly encouraged to apply.
La Trobe’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Regional), Professor Richard Speed, thanked the Australian Rail Track Corporation for their generous support, saying the scholarships would provide critical financial support for students who need it most.
“We know that our regional graduates make a deep impact on regional economies, driving almost $100 million per year into the Victorian regional and rural economy,” Professor Speed said.
“It’s therefore fantastic that ARTC is providing financial support to regional students who might not otherwise be able to afford a tertiary education – giving them the opportunity to graduate into fulfilling careers and contribute positively to their communities.”
Inland Rail Chief Executive Officer, Mr Richard Wankmuller, said Inland Rail is keen to support regional students by providing opportunities for them to graduate into careers which will add value to their local communities.
“We believe these scholarships, and any employment opportunities they unlock, will act as a catalyst for positive change in many regional communities along the Inland Rail project alignment,” Mr Wankmuller said.
About the Inland Rail scholarships
The Inland Rail scholarships are offered to students studying at La Trobe’s Bendigo, Shepparton, Albury-Wodonga and Melbourne campuses, in line with the Inland Rail track local government areas (LGAs). The students must have previously resided in one of the nominated LGAs: Mitchell, Strathbogie, Benalla, Wangaratta, Indigo, Albury and Wodonga.
